An Unofficial Visit

DeLaSalle sophomore standout Royce White made an unofficial visit to the University of Minnesota last week, according to Charley Walters, though a hat-tip is in order for a blog I just stumbled onto.

First, this is good news for Tubby and company. White could be part of Minnesota's 2009 class.

It's a good idea, I think, to explain the differences between an official and unofficial visit. After a little research, I found the following explanation. Suffice to say, an "unofficial" visit from a student from Virginia or California would be a bigger indication of the students' interest, as much of the cost of the trip is passed onto the student. Here's the best explanation I found of the differences between an official and unoficial visit.

In general, an unofficial visit is one that is financed by the prospective student while an official visit is one that is financed either entirely or partially by the institution. There are a number of expenses/benefits that if provided by an institution classifies the visit as an official visit. Official visits may not occur until the opening day of classes of the prospect’s senior year and may not exceed 48 hours. An institution may provide only one official visit to its campus for a prospect.

Unofficial Visits
A prospective student may make an unlimited number of unofficial visits.
Meal: A prospect may receive a single meal provided by the institution in their on-campus student dining facility (the meal may not be provided at a local restaurant if the dining facility is closed unless it is the institution’s policy to do so for all visiting prospective students generally). Meals may not be provided for parents or other family members.
Lodging: Lodging may not be provided to a prospect unless it is the institution’s policy to provide such lodging to all visiting prospective students generally. Note: If an institution's policy is to provide lodging only for visiting high school seniors, then the institution's athletic department may arrange/provide lodging for a senior without considering the visit an official visit (as long as all other guidelines for unofficial visits are met). If the institution does not provide lodging for visiting students, the athletic department may still arrange/provide lodging for a senior, but the visit will then be classified as an official visit. Lodging may only be provided for non-seniors if it is the institution's policy to provide such lodging for all visiting non-seniors in general.
Transportation: Transportation (including to/from the local bus/train station and/or local airport) may not be provided.

Official Visits
A prospect may not make an official visit until the opening day of classes of the prospect’s senior year. An institution may provide only one official visit to its campus for a prospective student. An official visit may not exceed 48 hours.
Meals: An institution may provide meals (not to exceed three per day) to a prospect in the institution’s on-campus student dining facility. If a prospect visits campus during a vacation period and the dining facility is closed, a meal may be provided to a prospect (and the prospect’s parents/legal guardians) in a local restaurant. The meal must be comparable to the type of meal provided in the on-campus dining facility.
Lodging: Lodging may be provided for a prospect. If provided it shall be in a manner similar or comparable to that of student housing (e.g., dorm room).
Transportation: Transportation to/from the local bus/train station and/or local airport is permissible.

Suffice to say, news that an outstate recruit makes an 'unofficial' visit is more telling than a local kid driving to campus. Nonetheless, it's good news that Royce White is intersted in the U